The Matildas’ 5-4 win from the penalty spot after a scoreless ninety minutes is the first ever Australian victory over China on Chinese soil.

The Matildas had lost in a penalty shootout to China two months ago in Sydney during the Pacific Cup to break a 1-1 deadlock. Australia’s only previous victory over the classy Chinese was a 2-1 result in Canberra to win the 1997 Tri-Nations Series.

Australia made a fantastic start last night and enjoyed the better of play in the opening half hour before China started threatening leading into the break. Both sides created chances in the fast-flowing game before a vocal crowd of 20,000.

In the energy-sapping humidity, the Matildas started to tire in the second half but battled hard and still looked promising on the break. With their backs to the wall in the last fifteen minutes, Australia held out with a courageous effort to send the game to a deciding shootout.

Heather Garriock and Alison Forman planted their penalty attempts for Australia before China’s third strike was missed by substitute Pan Lina. Anissa Tann-Darby bravely struck well to score Australia’s number three penalty, wiping the memory of her saved attempt against China two months ago. Danielle Small made it four, leaving Australia’s fate in the hands of 18-year-old Peita-Claire Hepperlin. The midfielder coolly slotted home the winning spot kick to the raptures of the Aussie outfit.

"This would have to go down as the national team’s finest result," said National Coach Chris Tanzey. "It was a courageous and professional performance. I’m just so proud of the girls."

Australia : Wheeler, Salisbury, Wainwright, Alagich, Small, Wilson (Taylor 78), McShea (Hepperlin 46), Forman, Duus (Garriock 61), Hughes (Tann-Darby 75), Golebiowski (Ferguson 69).

China : Han Wenxia, Wang Liping, Fan Yunjie, Wen Lirong, Bai Jie, Liu Ying, Shui Qingxia, Pu Wei, Liu Ailing, Sun Wen, Jin Yan (substitutions unavailable)